Most teams don’t have franchise-defining moments in the first week of August, but as Jason Mackey of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes, that could happen to the Pittsburgh Penguins tomorrow. August 7th is Sidney Crosby’s 37th birthday and Mackey wonders if it might be the day that Crosby signs his long-awaited contract extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Crosby has been notoriously superstitious throughout his career when it comes to the number 87, carrying an $8.7MM cap hit since the 2008-09 season and wearing number 87 for his entire career. Many in Pittsburgh believe he will sign a new deal tomorrow on 8/7, but it’s fair to wonder what will happen to the team if he doesn’t.
Rob Rossi of The Athletic wrote last week that both sides left negotiations in July feeling comfortable enough that a deal was close and cited sources on both sides of the talks. By all accounts, a deal seems to be close, but as the summer drags on, Penguins fans are becoming more uncomfortable with the extended timeline, and as Mackey points out, tomorrow passing without a contract announcement will surely put fans into panic mode.
Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now writes that there are no updates from his sources on negotiations, but also takes a balanced approach to breaking down the situation. Noting Crosby’s desire to wear one jersey for his entire career as his mentor Mario Lemieux once did for these very same Penguins. Crosby’s childhood hero Steve Yzerman also only wore one NHL jersey, and Crosby has always stated publicly that it means a lot to him to do the same.
Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive believes Crosby will sign, but he asked the question this week that many Penguins fans are scared to answer. What if Crosby doesn’t sign an extension tomorrow? It would be a scary reality for Penguins fans to face, the Penguins have pivoted to a retool and don’t have much in the pipeline to look forward to. If Crosby was to leave Pittsburgh, it would mean they are locked into many overpriced long-term deals, with a poor farm system and not much hope at the NHL level.
However, that moment isn’t yet a reality, and given Crosby’s superstitious nature and desire to remain in Pittsburgh, it is a reality they may not have to face until he retires.
I think only other team Crosby would go to is Montreal
I’m a habs fan and I due agree if he ever did go somewhere else that would be the spot. His had was a goalie drafted by them and they where his childhood team. However I do t ever see him leaving the pens. The only chance I see is the pens fall apart his last few seasons, the Hans have a good team and good playoff chances and he goes at the deadline and it’s still less then 1%
Only team Montreal come on, there is Colorado to play with MacKinnon or even Marchand in Bean town…I wouldn’t rule out TBay to play BIG Jake…
If Crosby does sign, it would mean they are locked into many overpriced long-term deals, with a poor farm system and not much hope at the NHL level.
This is the tough part for a franchise and for fans. Do you let a legend who has only ever played with your organization walk, possibly angering him? Or keep him, and lower your chances of being able to compete for a few years?
No worries. You’ve got Dumbass running it there
If Crosby doesn’t sign, it would mean we are “locked into many overpriced long-term deals, with a poor farm system and not much hope at the NHL level” AND without the second best player to ever play in the NHL who just had arguably his best overall season.
So…
Do you guys even follow hockey outside of this site? He’s still one of the best players in the NHL.
He sure is. At 37 he still makes plays that boggle the mind. And for the record Sid the kid isn’t going anywhere I don’t think there’s even a chance he doesn’t sign.
Come on. Why would there be panic if he doesn’t sign a contract on his birthday? I don’t see how that makes any sense.
It would be surprising, but certainly not panic time.
Hey it’s 1:00am on the East coast!!
Has he signed? What’s going to happen? Is Crosby a UFA?
If they don’t sign Crosby and instead start on a full-scale rebuild, they might make the playoffs by 2030. If they do sign Crosby, playoffs are unlikely before 2033.
So, what?
In the past 35 years, Penguins fans have been spoiled more than any fan base in any sport ever.
More Cups than anyone else.
The best player ever.
The second best player ever.
The second leading scorer in league history.
Years of having the 4th leading scorer in NHL history.
15 scoring titles in that time.
And that doesn’t touch on Geno, MAF, Coffey, Rex, Kovy, etc. etc. etc.
Or the cameos by HOF’ers like Robitaille, Hossa, Iggy, Karlsson, etc.
Like, yeah…eventually the credit card bill comes due.
But, anyone who thinks we’re going to luck into another Sid or Mario just because we lucked (literally) into Sid after Mario AND wants to run a still elite Sid out of town because of this delusion…no thanks.
Crosby is great but do you honestly believe he’s better than Gretzky?
I saw both, it’s not close.
Understand that I am distinguishing between a better player vs. a better career.
If anyone wants to argue that 99 is better than Sid or Mario, so be it…but things like “he has the most points ever” fall in the better career bucket, not the better player bucket.
I fully concede that 99 is the most accomplished player ever.
Sid can do everything Wayne could plus he’s better in his own zone and brings a Peter Forsberg like edge Gretzky did not. Mario was on a whole different planet from everyone else.
I’m putting 99 second behind Mario. Not sure we’ll ever see another 66. Thanks for your response.
You forgot the joy of watching Philly fail for all those years as well
Finances excepted, Crosby would fit perfectly into the Rangers lineup if he wants to go for another Cup run or two.
Just seems like the Pens are stuck in eternal bubble team mode, not improving. and that’s not the way he deserves to finish his career. Much like Ray Bourque is a Bruin for life, a year or two in another jersey for a Cup drive would not diminish his career standing or lifelong importance to the Penguins.
Crosby has 3. Bourque did not. Big difference
He’ll stay, kudos to him for the loyalty it’s rare in sports these days. If he hadn’t already won multiple Cups he’d probably go chasing one someplace else for his legacy. It’s going to be rough for him playing for a washed out, old, non contender though. There’s nobody around for him to even mentor, or help develop… a role for which he could be extremely valuable to the franchise’s future.
As someone who lives in Pittsburgh and is a Pens fan, I can assure you that NO ONE is worrying about this deal lol we know it will get done.
3 years @ $8.7M AAV.
It would make more sense for the Pens to sell EVERYONE not named Crosby to start a rebuild and let Sid mentor the new pieces. Malkin, you gone. Letting, you gone. EK65, gone.
Of course selling most of those guys brings pennies on the dollar they could have a couple years ago, but they should bring back pieces that may jump the rebuild and get the Pens relevant sooner rather than later. And if they completely poo the bed, maybe they have a shot at McKenna in 2 years for another generational talent and Crosby can mentor him for a year or 2 before he rides off into the sunset if that what he choses.